Oakville, Ontario – MADD Canada is proud to announce that The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, is the recipient of a 2018 Citizen of Distinction award for her outstanding efforts to strengthen Canada’s impaired driving laws.

The Citizen of Distinction Award is presented annually to individuals, groups or organizations that have made a major provincial/territorial or national contribution to the anti-impaired driving movement in Canada, leaving a lasting legacy in the areas of research, prevention and education, legal issues or victim issues.

“With incredible leadership and innovation, Minister Wilson-Raybould has ushered in new legislation and policies which will effectively and significantly enhance Canada’s impaired driving laws,” said MADD Canada National President Patricia Hynes-Coates.

Impaired driving continues to be a leading criminal cause of death in Canada, claiming hundreds of lives and causing thousands of injuries each year. To address that, and to prepare for the upcoming legalization of cannabis, Minister Wilson-Raybould and her colleagues introduced Bill C-46, which implements new driving limits and testing measures for cannabis and other drugs, mandatory alcohol screening, and several other evidentiary and procedural changes to enhance the enforcement and prosecution of impaired driving.

Mandatory alcohol screening, in particular, will have a tremendous impact. MADD Canada estimates the measure will reduce impaired driving by approximately 20%, saving some 200 lives and preventing more than 12,000 injuries each year.

“We are very honoured to announce this Citizen of Distinction award in recognition of Minister Wilson-Raybould’s ongoing efforts and commitment to reduce impaired driving, prevent crashes and save lives,” Ms. Hynes-Coates said. “On behalf of our MADD Canada volunteers and members across the country, I thank the Minister for her dedication and passion to this cause.”

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award from MADD Canada,” said Minister Wilson-Raybould. “It is a reflection not just of our Government’s work, but that of countless colleagues, officials and ordinary Canadians who want to do everything possible to keep our roads safe. I am incredibly proud that, because of Bill C-46, Canada now has one of the toughest impaired driving regimes in the world. Thank you to MADD Canada for this award, and for your decades of critical advocacy in fighting the scourge of impaired driving.”

MADD Canada hopes to present the award to Minister Wilson-Raybould in person this November.

About MADD Canada

MADD Canada is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads.